Gaza Death Toll Rises, Diplomats Try To Avoid Ground War

Smoke rises following an Israeli attack on smuggling tunnels on the border between Egypt and Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Monday. (Eyad Baba/AP)

Over 100 Palestinians and at least three Israelis have died since Wednesday, when Israel launched its offensive aimed at stopping rocket fire from Gaza into Israel.

Israel says it is prepared to expand its operation, but both Israeli officials and representatives of Hamas, which governs Gaza, have been speaking behind the scenes with Egyptian diplomats about conditions for a ceasefire.